K
whiskey sample tour
Tour guide was fun spirited and entertaining. Whiskey sampling was unique in varieties selected. Sometimes the history part was not clear regarding the connections to whiskey.
Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $58 / person
- Location
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 78 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Mercat Tours
- Meeting point
- Mercat Cross, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. Look for the 8 sided monument with white Unicorn on top. You will find a member of our visitor services team waiting here to check you in. They will be dressed in black, holding an iPad, wearing an orange lanyard & holding a black & orange umbrella.
Description
Edinburgh’s Master Storytellers, Mercat Tours, are redefining the walking tour, promising to enrich and deepen your connection with Edinburgh’s people and past far beyond your visit. Embark on a sensory journey through Scotland’s whisky. Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, where the world’s largest Scottish whisky company was founded and a vibrant history of “aqua vitae” (or the “water of life”) began. The tour continues with a whisky tasting in our underground Megget’s Cellar. Hear captivating tales, breathe in the rich aromas, and savour a single malt tasting in our exclusive underground vaults. There’s no better way to warm the spirits. You’ll taste four Scottish whiskies, under the guidance of our whisky specialist. As a certified B Corporation, we're dedicated to responsible tourism practices that benefit our community and environment. Join an unrivalled journey into Edinburgh's past, engaging all the senses to create a truly memorable experience that lasts long after your visit.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 16
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $58
Out at sunset: the 4:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 4:49 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 13 of the next 18 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Mercat Cross
Start your tour at the Mercat Cross and discover the importance of this 8-sided historically significant monument
Royal Mile
Embark on a sensory journey through Scotland’s whisky. Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, where the world’s largest Scottish whisky company was founded and a vibrant history of “aqua vitae” (or the “water of life”) began. Hear the stories of those who jump-started whisky production in Edinburgh, including the smugglers, bootleggers and other seedier characters of the Old Town’s underbelly.
Your expert will cover everything you need to know about the water of life; from how whisky is made to the effects that different fundamental elements such as water, barley, peat and the cask have on the production process. Nose and taste your way through the whisky regions, with sample whiskies from Speyside, Highland, Islay and Lowland distilleries. Just consider this your first step to becoming a whisky connoisseur!
What's included
Included
Whisky tasting of 4 drams
Enhanced with hand-picked sounds of Edinburgh and delivered through TourTalk audio devices
Small-Group Experience
Exclusive Sounds of Edinburgh Tour Playlist
Exclusive multi-sensory tours; with master Storyteller guides
Not included
This tour is not suitable for those under the age of 18
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
78 reviews
How it compares in Edinburgh
- Starting price $58 is close to the typical $64 for tours of similar length in Edinburgh
Excurgo comparison of 1,238 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tours are guaranteed all year round, so please dress for the weather, with comfortable shoes.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting take?
Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting cost?
Prices start at $58 per person for this Edinburgh experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
Does Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting sell out?
It can: 13 of the next 18 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Mercat Cross, High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. Look for the 8 sided monument with white Unicorn on top. You will find a member of our visitor services team waiting here to check you in. They will be dressed in black, holding an iPad, wearing an orange lanyard & holding a black & orange umbrella. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 78 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Mercat Tours.
Reviews(78)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
J
Great story's and whisky.
After doing the Ghost tour 5 years ago, when I went back with my father I knew I had to book with Mercat. We really loved the introduction to Whisky and its history. The Whisky's where amazing, the Guide was amazing, the only thing I had hoped was that we would have seen some of the vaults. Might have been my mistake by associating the Ghost tour with the whisky tour, but I hoped some stories about the underground economics where combined with the whisky tour and tasting.
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the whisky, stories and history on your tour, and that you chose to return to Mercat Tours. Mercat Tours
D
A very good tour
Very good tour, I would recommend to any whiskey buff!
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback. We’re delighted you enjoyed the Edinburgh Whisky Tour and would recommend it to fellow whisky enthusiasts. Mercat Team
W
Great experience for whisky lovers
I shared this experience with my son and we both had a great time. Our guide, Mally, was excellent, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject of whisky and Scotland. The tour was just the right length at about an hour and was followed by a whisky tasting session where Mally shared his experience and knowledge of the whisky making process before we all sampled a few drams from different parts of Scotland. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted you and your son enjoyed the Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting with Mally. It’s wonderful to hear that his knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for whisky helped make the experience both informative and enjoyable. We appreciate you sharing your kind words with us. Mercat Team
P
A great, fun, interactive and immersive experience
Our tour with Linda was beyond expectations. She was very attentive to everyone and really had everyone involved in the tour and the stories. It made for a fun, interactive, and immersive experience. The group was a good size, leaving good space for interactions with everyone. We didn’t feel rushed throughout the tour, and the whisky tasting at the end of the tour was a great way to top it off while hearing more fascinating stories about Edinburgh. I highly recommend this tour!
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted you enjoyed your whisky experience with Linda and that the interactive storytelling, relaxed pace and tasting made for such a memorable evening. We really appreciate your recommendation. Mercat Team
M
Amazing guide
The tour was really good! Especially our tour guide Mally, such a nice and fun guy, that knew everything about Whiskey! He made the tour feel so personal! 😊
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the whisky tour experience and that it felt personal, fun, and informative throughout. Mercat Team.
T
Great whisky tasting
Mally did fantastic, beautiful and informative stories and delicious whiskies
Operator response
Bedankt voor uw leuke reactie! We zijn blij dat u heeft genoten van de whiskytour en dat deze van begin tot eind zowel informatief als plezierig was. Mercat Team.
O
If you can get her get ASH!!
ASH WAS PHENOMENAL!!! She was so knowledgeable and fun!! We really enjoyed our tour and being able to chat with her at the end as well! Highly recommend this tour and her for sure!
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the whisky tour experience and that it was so engaging and enjoyable throughout. Mercat Team.
D
Great fun
Bo was excellent as a guide. Great story teller. We didn’t have any extra ordinary experiences but still has fun
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the whisky tour experience and that Bo made it engaging and enjoyable throughout. Mercat Team.
E
Whisky tour!
This was a very nice tour. The above ground part taught us a lot about the history of whisky and about Edinburgh history. The vault tasting was a nice introduction to 4 whiskies from varied geographies and production methods. We had been to Johnnie Walker so this was a nice counterpoint to experience some smaller distillers. Mally was a great guide!
Operator response
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the whisky tour and tasting experience, and exploring both Edinburgh’s history and different whisky styles with Mally as your guide. Mercat Team
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Group Edinburgh Whisky Tour and Tasting | 2 hours | 4.9 (78) | $58 | |
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from$58
4.9(78) Free cancellation